Govt funding to three Walvis private schools under review
Government funding for three Walvis Bay private schools is under review, placing about 100 state-funded teachers and staff in limbo after the state signalled it is reviewing their agreement with the institutions.
This follows a meeting held in Walvis Bay on Thursday with the regional education leadership, as well as affected principals and teachers at Duneside High School, Walvis Bay Private School and Laerskool Walvisbaai.
Approximately 100 teachers, whose salaries are paid by government, now face the choice of finding work by remaining at these private schools, transferring to government schools in or outside the region, or opting for early retirement.
Education minister Sanet Steenkamp confirmed the development to Namibian Sun on Friday, noting that the ministry is revisiting the matter.
She noted that the ministry is reworking its funding approach at all private schools after accountability failures and widening gaps between private and public schools were identified under the earlier model.
“There are two things that matter: all private schools have to re-register, as per the Education Act 3 of 2020, with clear conditions,” she said.
Conditions outlined
The conditions of the Basic Education Act under Section 76 explain that a private school may qualify for state aid only if it meets several key requirements set out in the Act.
The school must have a properly constituted school board or an approved school development fund, follow all legal requirements for fair and non-discriminatory learner admissions, and adopt a code of conduct that aligns with national regulations.
It must also establish a prefect system or learners’ representative council to ensure learner participation and offer any compulsory courses prescribed by the minister. In addition, the school must meet any further conditions set through regulations and must apply for aid annually by the set deadline. Private schools operated for profit are not eligible for state aid unless the minister specifically grants consent.
Steenkamp also explained that in 2017 the ministry placed a moratorium on funding private schools.
“This is because of the unequal and huge inequity that the funding formula created against our state schools," she explained. "We went back to the initial agreement the government had in 1991 with South Africa and Namibia, and we decided it was time.”
The minister could not confirm how many teachers would ultimately be affected, as she was out of office at the time.
“Our teams and technical staff on the ground have to be very clear in working with these teachers," she said.
"We are clear in our settlement that teachers have the right to indicate whether they wish to be part of the government's payroll, whether they wish to take up positions at other state schools, or whether they wish to remain with the private schools. It's entirely their democratic right to make that decision.”
Asked whether some private schools had failed to submit their financial documents in line with requirements, Steenkamp confirmed that many had not provided financial statements, accountability reports or audit reports.
“It was just the right thing to do. We have looked at all the genuine and unintended consequences of this decision, but in the end, it remains the right decision to make," the minister stressed.
Worrying consequences
A concerned teacher from one of the schools, who wished to remain anonymous, questioned why this decision could not be gradually phased in over a five-year period.
“Teachers affected by transfers or enforced early retirement stand to lose their medical aid benefits. Teachers may also lose access to their housing subsidies, placing them at risk of losing their homes,” the individual warned.
“Many teachers currently have established lives in Walvis Bay, with spouses employed locally and children attending local schools. Walvis Bay, however, does not have sufficient state schools to absorb all affected government-paid teachers, meaning some families may be forced to relocate to other towns or regions," the source added.
"Teachers considering early retirement, as mentioned in the circular, would lose significant financial benefits, which would negatively affect their long-term stability.”
The teacher asked about the legal rights and protections of these teachers, saying that the affected teachers have only been given until the end of December to communicate their decision to regional leadership so that the decision can be implemented by March 2026.
“It is well-documented that state schools in our region are struggling, with shortages of textbooks, materials and infrastructure," the source noted.
"Moving government-paid teachers does not appear to address these systemic issues. This situation marks a difficult and unfortunate moment in the history of education in Namibia, as it significantly disrupts the lives of long-serving public servants.”
Teachers, parents want answers
Several sources stressed that they want government to provide a "legal basis for this decision, whether this directive applies only to selected private schools in Walvis Bay, whether a phased implementation can be considered, and what protections will be afforded to affected teachers and their families.”
Concerned parents from one of the schools also voiced disappointment over the alleged lack of information shared with them.
“We demand an immediate meeting with the school, with a detailed explanation of what transpired that led to the government taking such a drastic decision. Were there any guidelines or recommendations issued by the government to the school before this decision was made?”
The parents also demanded clarity on how the school intends to address the significant financial pressure that will now likely fall solely on parents next year and how the government’s withdrawal will affect their children’s future at the school.
Compliance and legal routes
Previously, Walvis Bay Private School (WBPS), in a statement issued on 23 October to parents, explained that it successfully complied with all requirements for re-registration under the Basic Education Act 3 of 2020, following an inspection by the regional directorate on 8 April, and expected to receive its certification by the end of October.
The statement further explained that on 16 June, WBPS was requested to submit its application for state aid by 6 October, which it did, and added at the time that the school is exploring ways to gradually reduce reliance on government-funded teachers, assuring parents that operations will continue as normal.
In the case of Laerskool Walvisbaai, the school and the ministry reached an agreement after the matter went to court. This followed the ministry’s insistence that the school apply for re-registration – a requirement the school argued infringed its rights under the 2020 Basic Education Act. The school asked the court to order the minister to approve its registration without delay, arguing that a letter issued on 3 October was administratively unfair.
The school objected to certain re-registration requirements, including the establishment of a formal school board and the removal of admission rules, which it argued threatened its continued existence.
The ministry contended that the 24-month deadline for re-registration had already expired and that the school did not comply with Article 83 of the law, as no fully functioning board or adequate financial management had been established. The 3 October letter, according to Steenkamp, merely applied existing legislation.
During the status hearing before High Court judge Orben Sibeya, it was agreed that the school would appoint an interim board with two additional members by 27 January 2026, which will serve until 31 March 2026. According to the settlement document, the school must submit its audited financial statements from 2019 to 2025 within 90 days. Once completed, the minister will finalise the registration and issue the certificate by 31 March 2026.
Government funding for teachers will continue until 30 January 2026, after which possible redeployment will follow, the document states. Each party will bear their own costs, and the contents of the agreement remain confidential.
This follows a meeting held in Walvis Bay on Thursday with the regional education leadership, as well as affected principals and teachers at Duneside High School, Walvis Bay Private School and Laerskool Walvisbaai.
Approximately 100 teachers, whose salaries are paid by government, now face the choice of finding work by remaining at these private schools, transferring to government schools in or outside the region, or opting for early retirement.
Education minister Sanet Steenkamp confirmed the development to Namibian Sun on Friday, noting that the ministry is revisiting the matter.
She noted that the ministry is reworking its funding approach at all private schools after accountability failures and widening gaps between private and public schools were identified under the earlier model.
“There are two things that matter: all private schools have to re-register, as per the Education Act 3 of 2020, with clear conditions,” she said.
Conditions outlined
The conditions of the Basic Education Act under Section 76 explain that a private school may qualify for state aid only if it meets several key requirements set out in the Act.
The school must have a properly constituted school board or an approved school development fund, follow all legal requirements for fair and non-discriminatory learner admissions, and adopt a code of conduct that aligns with national regulations.
It must also establish a prefect system or learners’ representative council to ensure learner participation and offer any compulsory courses prescribed by the minister. In addition, the school must meet any further conditions set through regulations and must apply for aid annually by the set deadline. Private schools operated for profit are not eligible for state aid unless the minister specifically grants consent.
Steenkamp also explained that in 2017 the ministry placed a moratorium on funding private schools.
“This is because of the unequal and huge inequity that the funding formula created against our state schools," she explained. "We went back to the initial agreement the government had in 1991 with South Africa and Namibia, and we decided it was time.”
The minister could not confirm how many teachers would ultimately be affected, as she was out of office at the time.
“Our teams and technical staff on the ground have to be very clear in working with these teachers," she said.
"We are clear in our settlement that teachers have the right to indicate whether they wish to be part of the government's payroll, whether they wish to take up positions at other state schools, or whether they wish to remain with the private schools. It's entirely their democratic right to make that decision.”
Asked whether some private schools had failed to submit their financial documents in line with requirements, Steenkamp confirmed that many had not provided financial statements, accountability reports or audit reports.
“It was just the right thing to do. We have looked at all the genuine and unintended consequences of this decision, but in the end, it remains the right decision to make," the minister stressed.
Worrying consequences
A concerned teacher from one of the schools, who wished to remain anonymous, questioned why this decision could not be gradually phased in over a five-year period.
“Teachers affected by transfers or enforced early retirement stand to lose their medical aid benefits. Teachers may also lose access to their housing subsidies, placing them at risk of losing their homes,” the individual warned.
“Many teachers currently have established lives in Walvis Bay, with spouses employed locally and children attending local schools. Walvis Bay, however, does not have sufficient state schools to absorb all affected government-paid teachers, meaning some families may be forced to relocate to other towns or regions," the source added.
"Teachers considering early retirement, as mentioned in the circular, would lose significant financial benefits, which would negatively affect their long-term stability.”
The teacher asked about the legal rights and protections of these teachers, saying that the affected teachers have only been given until the end of December to communicate their decision to regional leadership so that the decision can be implemented by March 2026.
“It is well-documented that state schools in our region are struggling, with shortages of textbooks, materials and infrastructure," the source noted.
"Moving government-paid teachers does not appear to address these systemic issues. This situation marks a difficult and unfortunate moment in the history of education in Namibia, as it significantly disrupts the lives of long-serving public servants.”
Teachers, parents want answers
Several sources stressed that they want government to provide a "legal basis for this decision, whether this directive applies only to selected private schools in Walvis Bay, whether a phased implementation can be considered, and what protections will be afforded to affected teachers and their families.”
Concerned parents from one of the schools also voiced disappointment over the alleged lack of information shared with them.
“We demand an immediate meeting with the school, with a detailed explanation of what transpired that led to the government taking such a drastic decision. Were there any guidelines or recommendations issued by the government to the school before this decision was made?”
The parents also demanded clarity on how the school intends to address the significant financial pressure that will now likely fall solely on parents next year and how the government’s withdrawal will affect their children’s future at the school.
Compliance and legal routes
Previously, Walvis Bay Private School (WBPS), in a statement issued on 23 October to parents, explained that it successfully complied with all requirements for re-registration under the Basic Education Act 3 of 2020, following an inspection by the regional directorate on 8 April, and expected to receive its certification by the end of October.
The statement further explained that on 16 June, WBPS was requested to submit its application for state aid by 6 October, which it did, and added at the time that the school is exploring ways to gradually reduce reliance on government-funded teachers, assuring parents that operations will continue as normal.
In the case of Laerskool Walvisbaai, the school and the ministry reached an agreement after the matter went to court. This followed the ministry’s insistence that the school apply for re-registration – a requirement the school argued infringed its rights under the 2020 Basic Education Act. The school asked the court to order the minister to approve its registration without delay, arguing that a letter issued on 3 October was administratively unfair.
The school objected to certain re-registration requirements, including the establishment of a formal school board and the removal of admission rules, which it argued threatened its continued existence.
The ministry contended that the 24-month deadline for re-registration had already expired and that the school did not comply with Article 83 of the law, as no fully functioning board or adequate financial management had been established. The 3 October letter, according to Steenkamp, merely applied existing legislation.
During the status hearing before High Court judge Orben Sibeya, it was agreed that the school would appoint an interim board with two additional members by 27 January 2026, which will serve until 31 March 2026. According to the settlement document, the school must submit its audited financial statements from 2019 to 2025 within 90 days. Once completed, the minister will finalise the registration and issue the certificate by 31 March 2026.
Government funding for teachers will continue until 30 January 2026, after which possible redeployment will follow, the document states. Each party will bear their own costs, and the contents of the agreement remain confidential.
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